Is It Sinful to Aim to Be the Most Physically Dominant of All Time?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

I want to become the most physically dominant and best combatant of all time in raw strength and fighting ability, and although I exclude the Prophets, “all time” would include the Companions.

I mean it without any contempt, in a way I hope they would be proud of, so is it sinful?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

No, it is not sinful, and the distinction you have already drawn is the right one.

You separated raw bodily strength from rank before Allah, and you did it without a trace of contempt. The Prophets (peace be upon them) and the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) are revered for faith, precedence, virtue, and sacrifice, not for muscle.

Umar and Ali (Allah be pleased with them) are not honored simply because they were strong. They were strong, and they are honored for what they spent that strength on. So an ambition about bodily power does not touch their rank at all, because their rank was never measured in that currency.

Lawful worldly ambition is not blameworthy either.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though in each there is good. Be diligent in seeking what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be helpless.” [Sahih Muslim]

Wanting strength, and wanting a great deal of it, sits comfortably inside that.

Pride Is the Only Thing That Would Make It Sinful

Hold the aspiration quietly, as effort and gratitude rather than as a slogan, because what spoils an ambition like this is pride. And keep the Prophets and the Companions above comparison as a matter of adab, even in a quality that was never the reason for their eminence.

Then train hard, and spend the strength the way Umar (Allah be pleased with him) spent his.

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

Is It Sinful to Compare My Strength to the Companions or Prophets?] — the fuller treatment of this same question: strength is a gift of Allah, the danger is pride, and the Companions stay above comparison.

Does the Hadith About the Strong Believer Refer to Physical Strength?] — establishes that physical strength is praiseworthy insofar as it is a means of drawing nearer to Allah Most High.

Is It Permissible to Have Pride? Is There Such Thing as Good Pride?] — separates blameworthy arrogance from lawful self-regard, and notes that a believer may compete without haughtiness.

Criticizing a Companion] — sets the outer limit of the adab owed to the Companions.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School.” This book, published by White Thread Press in 2004, is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.

النصوص 

[صحيح مسلم ت عبد الباقي ٤/٢٠٥٢]

«عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ: المؤمن القوي خير وأحب إلى الله من المؤمن الضعيف. وفي كل خير. احرص على ما ينفعك واستعن بالله. ولا تعجز. وإن أصابك شيء فلا تقل: لو أني فعلت كان كذا وكذا. ولكن قل: قدر الله. وما شاء فعل. فإن لو تفتح عمل الشيطان».